Flying with Bronchiactisis

[mshelley]

My husband is 64 and in otherwise good health, but suffers from Bronchiactisis...he uses 2 leters of oxygen at night, but does not need it during the day unless we go to 4000 feet or more.  We are trying to plan a trip to Germany to see our neice and can't seem to get a good understanding of flying that distance...will he need 02 on the plane?  Thanks.

[National Jewish]

Since your husband uses 2 liters of oxygen when he is at 4000 feet or more, he will need oxygen on the plane.  A plane is pressurized to the same as 7,000 to 9,000 feet in altitude.  When you make your reservations inform the airline(s) of your husband’s oxygen use.  They will let you know what they require.  Usually they will need a letter and a prescription for the oxygen from your husband’s doctor.  If your travel to Germany will include any airport layovers, an oxygen company close to that airport will need to supply your husband’s oxygen.  Check with your husband’s oxygen company at home to have these arrangements made in advance.  The airline only provides oxygen on the plane they do not supply the oxygen in between flights.

Here is some information about bronchiectasis that I hope you find helpful.  Inflammation causes damage to the airways of the lungs.  When the airways become dilated this is called bronchiolectasis.  When the airways become distorted with areas where mucus can collect this is called bronchiectasis.  It can be difficult to clear this mucus because of damage to the normal methods that the lungs use to clear mucus.  This can lead to episodes of infection.  Traditionally an ongoing infection can lead to the inflammation.  So it is important that lung infections are treated.  Pulmonary hygiene is very important in preventing and controlling lung infections.  Using an inhaled bronchodilator may help to loosen the mucus.  Many people find the routine use of a mucus clearance device to be very helpful in clearing the mucus from their lungs.  This is a small device that you exhale into causing a vibration in your lungs that loosen mucus so that you can cough it up easier.  The names of 2 types of devices are Flutter Valve and Acapella.  Bronchiectasis can result from airway blockage along with infection, so it may effect only one area of your lung.  If your recurrent lung infections are always in the same area of the lung, surgery to remove that portion of your lung may provide a cure.

[Ellis7]

I think planes are usually pressurized to 8,000 ft altitude, so sounds like he would need auxiliary oxygen. Ask his doctor for advice. Here's a link for Lufthansa:
http://cms.lufthansa.com/fly/de/en/inf/0,4976,0-0-780523,00.html
Excerpt:
"Passengers with breathing problems

If you wish, we can provide you with a supplementary oxygen supply on board. Please request this when you make your reservation. You will be billed with the costs incurred after your journey. "
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